Recorded on October 2, 1929. John Estes received the nickname "Sleepy" as a result of a baseball accident he received as a child which caused him to lose the sight of his right eye. In addition to his blues style, Estes also recorded jug band tunes with the likes of Jab Jones and, most importantly, mandolinist Yank Rachell. Rachell, who had a life long musical relationship with Estes, abundantly demonstrates that the blues is not relegated exclusively to guitar playing.


This audio is part of the collection: 78 RPMs & Cylinder Recordings
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Artist/Composer: Sleepy John Estes
Date: 1929-10-02 00:00:00
Source: 78RPM>CD>MP3
Keywords: Music; Acoustic; Blues; Acoustic Country Blues; 78rpm

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Reviewer: Tribe - - October 19, 2008
Subject: johnorford
johnorford appears to be determined to demonstrate to all that he is a trolling knowitall.

Reviewer: johnorford - - October 19, 2008
Subject: wrong name
You pluck a harp, not blow it. A mouth harp is the same as a jaw harp, not a mouth organ or harmonica. Traditional this mistake may be in the blues, but not one to perpetuate.

Reviewer: bluesbanjoman - - October 25, 2004
Subject: Black Mattie Blues
This classic (or should be), was recorded at Sleepy John Estes' first session. Featuring the late. great, Yank Rachell, this was the fourth side cut that day. Estes' pounding, double-timed rhythm guitar along with Rachell's heavy but solidly intricate mandolin work, provides harp blower Hammie Nixon a springboard for launching gritty,raw, down to earth harmonica fills.
All in all, a great piece of work.